Mathew Loran

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Mathew LoranMathew LORAN was born in Kings County, Ireland about 1836, came to the United States as a child about 1847. Along with his parents, sister Margaret and a brother.

At the age of 26, Mathew joined the 14th Regiment, Company D, Illinois Volunteer Infantry on September 21, 1862 in Grafton, Jersey Co., Illinois for 3 years. The 14th later combined with the 15th Regiment, named the “Fourteenth and Fifteenth Illinois Veteran Battalion”

One of the battles that Mathew was involved in was the Siege of Vickburg, Mississippi. In the Spring of 1863 Grant’s army was ordered to Vicksburg, where the 14th Illinois took part in the siege of that city, which lasted six weeks. The surrender of the Confederate Army took place on July 4,1863.

In October while guarding a railroad line, Mathew was captured and sent to Camp Sumter, Georgia; also known as Andersonville Prison. The prison was nothing but four walls and a stagnant stream. The water was contaminated because of the “toilet facilities” at the far end of the stream. It had no shelter of any kind for the prisoners, they built tents or lean-tos out of what material they could find; such as; if a family member sent a blanket – that could be used for a tent.

The following is from the National Parks Service pamphlet, “During the 14 months the prison existed, more than 45,000 Union soldiers were confined here. Of these, almost 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure to the elements.”

At the age of 55, on May 2, 1892, Mathew applied for an “Invalid Pension” by reason of: Rheumatism of right shoulder, heart trouble, defective sight, loss of teeth – a result of scurvy while in Andersonville, Georgia Prison and stomach trouble. Which was approved for Rheumatism and disease of the heart. Mathew received a pension of $6.00.

Mathew was never married and had no children. He is buried in Grafton, Jersey Co., Illinois at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

Discharge, a Claim, and Final Pay (Bounty) documents from the Civil War